East Texas

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

State Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, was leading his Republican primary challenger Tuesday night as he looked to keep the District 8 Texas House seat he's held for three terms.

With 90 of 99 precincts reporting as of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, unofficial results showed Cook had 4,871 votes, or about 70.5 percent, while his opponent, Bobby Vickery, of Frost, had 2,039 votes, or about 29.5 percent, according to the Texas secretary of state's Web site.

The winner will not face a Democratic opponent in November.

Cook said around 10 p.m. Tuesday that he felt like he was in good shape to win.

"I'm just grateful for the confidence that the people of this district have placed in me," he said via phone. "I take this job very seriously, and I just want to continue to work hard and be an effective voice for the people in District 8."

When asked why he was successful in this race, Cook said, "I think people know that I approach this in a very serious manner ... Public service is a privilege not a right. I think it's extremely important that a person who does this is prepared to dedicate the time and energy to this job ..."

Vickery said by phone Tuesday night that he was disappointed with the results, but he wanted to congratulate Cook.

"I just hope he remembers that we just want to be represented in the district ... and have a voice in Austin," he said, adding that he appreciates all the support and help he received.

District 8 includes Anderson, Freestone, Limestone and Navarro counties.

Cook, 53, said in a previous interview that he was running for re-election because he wants to "continue to be an effective voice for our rural district."

"I want to keep working hard for this district, keep building relationships within the legislative body, which is absolutely critical if you are going to be effective," he said.

Cook, who has been involved in the software business, banking and ranching, is completing his third term on the State Affairs Committee and is also chairman of the Civil Practices Committee in the Texas House. Cook has lived in Corsicana since 1968.

He noted economic development and school finance, natural resources such as water as well as utility costs as some of the issues that are important to him.Vickery, 46, said he decided to run for the seat because he "had an issue and I needed to talk to the incumbent, and he wasn't responsive."

He also said he wanted "to give something back" and "leave something better for my kids and future generations."

Vickery said he is an environmental manager for Republic Services, a solid waste company. He graduated from Neches High School and has lived in the district almost his whole life.